After Thomas Dreßl, ski racer Josef Ferstl is now saying goodbye. It’s supposed to end on Sunday after the Super-G in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
After Thomas Dreßl, ski racer Josef Ferstl is now leaving the alpine ski circuit. The 35-year-old had meticulously prepared for the World Cup winter with the aim of achieving top placings. However, the current season was very disappointing. In his ten races, the veteran only made it into the top 30 twice. He didn’t want to continue like that.
The speed specialist from SC Hammer has therefore decided to draw a line under his long and successful career. “This season I tried everything again to be able to assert myself again among the best speed riders in the world“, explained the 35-year-old Bavarian in a DSV statement. “Unfortunately, I was unable to improve and stabilize my performance level in order to achieve further top results. It has always been my aim to live racing to the fullest. But when the head is no longer willing to take full risk, it’s time to draw a linen”. He wants to compete again at the two home events this weekend in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Historic victories achieved
The speed specialist was a member of the DSV squad for over 20 years. Ferstl competed in his first of 175 World Cup races in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in 2007. Top ten results, injuries and strong comebacks followed, such as fifth place in the Super-G in St. Caterina after a torn cruciate ligament.
With his first World Cup victory in 2017 in the Super-G in Val Gardena, he also ended an almost 27-year dry spell with the DSV men. In the Austrian ski mecca of Kitzbühel, he once again entered the skiing history books: for the first time, an athlete in the World Cup with start number one managed to win a Super-G. And exactly 40 years to the day after his father, he won the Streif and thus continued a special family history. Now the two share a gondola on the Kitzbühel Hahnenkammbahn.
Olympic Games and World Championships
Overall, Josef finished in the top ten in the World Cup 16 times and in the top 15 37 times. He competed at two Olympic Games, in Pyeongchang (Korea) in 2018 and in Beijing (China) in 2022. In 2015 he qualified to take part in his first World Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek. Further title fights followed with St. Moritz 2017, Are 2019 and Courchevel-Meribel 2023. With a sixth place in the Super-G in Are, he narrowly missed out on the medals.
Schwaiger loses “fixed size”
For national coach Christian Schwaiger this ends “a fixture in the team throughout his career. Despite many injuries, he has always fought his way back to the top of the world and achieved many great successes for the German Ski Association.“
Ferstl wants to remain connected to Alpine racing even after his career ends. “II can’t help it, the passion and fascination for racing is just too great, that’s what my heart beats for. Therefore, I will remain connected to this sport – in whatever form – for the rest of my life.